Information for commercial pork producers in Ontario.

Archive for December, 2016

Faulty electrical systems cause approximately 40 per cent of barn fires with a determined cause, making it one of the leading known causes of barn fires.

What can you do?

Regular inspections and maintenance are key to reducing the risk of a barn fire. We recommend that you work with a professional to inspect and monitor your farm buildings.

Have your buildings inspected and maintained regularly by a licensed electrical contractor.

Develop a preventative maintenance and housekeeping schedule.

Work with a professional to monitor the heat conditions of your barn using infrared technologies.

Work with your local fire department and insurance company to identify problem areas on your farm, and fix any problem areas identified.

Have a plan ready to deal with any emergency.

Train your family and employees on what to do if there is a barn fire. Learn how to handle and what to do with livestock, make a list of who to call during and after a fire, and establish a safe meeting point.

A link to Livestock Welfare’s Emergency Response web page, offering great resources on what to do with and how to handle livestock during an emergency.

A link to Equine Guelph’s training program on livestock behaviour in emergencies and barn fire prevention tools.

Barn fires can create unique challenges for farmers, including the disposal of large volumes of deadstock. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has a regulation that gives you options for deadstock management. These options help to protect water quality, reduce environmental impacts and minimize biosecurity hazards, such as scavenging.

Collection of deadstock by a licensed collector is recognized as the most effective and sustainable disposal method. In emergency situations, you can apply to OMAFRA for an Emergency Authorization for the storage, disposal or transportation of deadstock. These authorizations can be used when emergency conditions exist that make it difficult for you to dispose of deadstock according to the regulation.

For more information and to suggest a different fire prevention device, technology or program that could be listed on our website, contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre (AICC) at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.

From OMAFRA Stakeholder Communications: Municipalities are responsible for developing their own by-laws. Your municipality may have passed by-laws that determine if you can remove a tree from your land or woodlot. These by-laws may include conditions that affect how you carry out the work, including the need for a qualified professional and/or a permit to […]